Car maintenance before a drive

[goingquackers]

I was curious as to what others do to get their car ready for a trip road trip. Does anyone take their car to a mechanic to give it a check up, or do you give it the once over yourself?


The Family and I are only about a month away from the big trip and getting excited!

 

[tink&cinderella]

Hi and welcome to the DIS board.

I saw your post and chuckled to myself. I just came back from dropping our van off at the dealership for a tune up and once over before we leave for WDW next week.

The drive for us is 24 hours and our van is a 1999 with 190.000 km on it. - so to say the least I am expecting some kind of big replacement ie: tires. I hear it is really important to have good tires in Florida as there is oil buildup on the roads that can get very slippery when it rains.

Anyhow CAA/AAA is also a good option to have.

Enjoy your trip!

Tink&Cinderella

 

[Drewandwendi]

Oil change, tires checked, tune up if needed. Also fill fluids. Check your lights-brake, reverse, etc.

 

[conmama]

I always take it in. I just had the $45K tune-up for $199. To me, it's well worth the price to have everything checked out, replaced, whatever. Plus, we always do this anyway so it's nice to just have it done before the trip.

Also, I really clean it out good....like to start off nice

 

[tinaluis]

We take our van into our mechanic and let him know that we're going to be making the trip to Florida. He checks it out and lets us know what needs attention. He alwyas changes the oil, checks fluid levels, tire pressure, etc. and further checks for belts that look like they might go, brakes, etc. We're so fortunate that we have a reliable and trustworthy mechanic so when he says something needs attention it gets fixed ASAP.

 

[crzy4dsny]

When we have driven our van was reasonably new with low miles. It wasn't even due for its first tune up yet on both of our trips. We lease and will have a new truck for this summers trip too. So I kind of just give it a good checking out. I change the oil to start. Check all fluids and top off as needed. I check the radiator hoses visually and run my hands over them checking for soft spots or bulges. You should squeeze them all along to check for cracks or if they crack while squeezing. I check the belts real good for tightness and cracking. I then pull, tap, or tug on everything under the hood to make sure nothing is falling off or loose. I jack the car up and check the tires by spinning them around checking for nails, screws or anything that doesn't belong. While doing this I check the treads for uneven ware or belts coming thru. I then check the air pressure and add air as needed. I also check the spare tire to make sure it's ok. Then I get underneath and take a good look at everything to make sure it's ok. Then I give it a good cleaning inside and out. You can't drive to Disney in a dirty car. I always travel with a flashlight, duct tape, and some basic hand tools jsut in case.

 

[Evil Queen]

I always drop off my car at the dealership to have it looked over. I budget a big chunk of change for this alone. I really OVER budget, but it's nice to know that I should have money left over from that to spend at the world. But nice knowin should it need any major work I can go for it then and there or pick up a rental and have the car worked on while we are on vacation.

 

[Momto8]

We always change oil and filter, check the tires, belts and hoses, check the coolant level, check/change air filter, fuel filter, and the transmission fluid when needed, get a front end alignment (if needed). My DH does this every 3,000 miles but times it so he does this right before our Disney trip. My DH also cleans and waxes our van, and I thoroughly clean the inside, including carpeting. My DH also puts Rain-X on the windshield before we go.

My DH hasn't brought too many tools with before, but our van is now almost 4 years old, so he will bring more this year.